College of Charleston
Northeastern
Volleyball Downs Northeastern in Penultimate Clash
11/13/2014 4:10:00 AM | Volleyball
BOSTON, Mass. – College of Charleston volleyball kept their place atop the conference standings and earned a first round bye in the upcoming Colonial Athletic Association Championships on Wednesday night, defeating the Huskies of Northeastern University, 3-1 (25-17, 21-25, 25-22, 25-22) at the Cabot Center.
Cara Howley managed a team-high 18 kills (.343), while Melissa Morello and Sloane White chipped in with 13 and 12, respectively. The Cougars (21-9, 13-2 CAA) managed just a .135 team hitting percentage – well below their .195 season average – but again proved their defensive mettle, racking up an incredible 107 digs, led by senior setter Kallie McKown who added 27 digs to 24 assists for her league leading 22nd double-double of the year.
Two other Cougars tallied double-doubles on the night, including White, who had a career-high 20 digs as well Morello who added 14. Fellow senior Catey Warren also continued her recent string of good showings with a team-high five blocks.
The Cougars got off to a slow start in game one, falling behind 9-5, but quickly came roaring back to reverse the tide and take a 15-12 lead following a kill from White. The Huskies brought the set to within two at 21-19 after a Cougar attack error, but CofC then managed four straight points to close out the opening game, 25-19.
After falling in game two, 25-21, the Cougars bounced back with a convincing 25-22 game three victory to set up the deciding fourth frame.
In the tightest set of the night, the Cougars and Huskies traded blows early in game four as the opening 20 points saw nine ties and five lead changes. Up 11-10 following a kill from Howley, the Cougars extended their lead to three at 14-11 – the largest advantage by either team to that point – before the Huskies clawed back, rattling off five straight points to take a 16-14 lead. As CofC looked to close out the match and the Huskies remained desperate to force a fifth game, the contest tightened again at 20-20. That was as close as the match would get, though, as kills from junior Grace Rebarchak and Howley, as well as a crucial Husky attack error gave the Cougars the set, 25-22, and the match.
Next up for The College is a potential conference championship deciding match against Hofstra, in Hempstead, N.Y., on Friday, Nov. 14.
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